Big Cypress fire 95 percent contained, no longer growing

The massive brush fire burning for weeks in the Big Cypress National Preserve is now 95 percent contained, fire officials said Friday night.

The fire — nicknamed "Jarhead" — hasn't grown in two days, and remains at 38,130 acres, said Mike Johnson, a fire information officer working at the blaze. At this point, firefighters are generally working on mop-up duties, he said.

The fire is burning deep in the woods between the Alligator Alley portion of Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 East. The inferno started on April 26, when the preserve was struck by lightning.

There were still more than 200 federal firefighters and support staff working on the fire Friday, although that number is expected to decrease on Saturday, Johnson said.